How do you hang with a pad?

[Algonquin_bound]

For those who use a pad, how do you do it?

I don't need a pad on most trips, but when I do, I have yet to find an acceptable way to employ it. Using a blue CCF pad just doesn't give me anything close to the comfort I have in the hammock without it.

In my dual layer DIY, I've tried it between hammock layers, on top, (in hammock below sleeping bag), and inside the sleeping bag itself, between the bag and fleece liner I sleep in (when pad is required).

None have been great. The latter option of between the sleeping bag and liner has been best....which isn't saying much. Would rate it as bearable, or OK at best.

I'm just assuming this is as good as it gets with a pad. For those using a pad how do you do it, and how do you find it compares to when without? The pad just kills my comfy lay so far for me....(but still keeps me warm when I need it!)

[Mtn hanger]

Shug had a video that shows how he does it. You might find it informative.

[goobie]

Your assumptions are correct, at least in my experience as well. I found them more of a hassle in a double layer.

Now you know why almost everyone gets UQ's...

[Algonquin_bound]

And I thought I had watched them all.....

thanks.

[Algonquin_bound]

ya for sure.

I dream of the day I can use a UQ/TQ combo. For the foreseeable future, I will be using sleeping bags and blue pads .

[DuctTape]

The pad needs to "fit" the hammock, else it bunches, creases, etc... The greater the sag, and use of diagonal lay significantly impacts this as well. Of the commercially available hammocks, some seem to mate well with pads. Others, not so much. It is possible your diy hammock is similar in design and dimensions to those which do not mate well. I happen to use a claytor hammock. It is much shorter, and not as wide as most. Thus it requires only a slight offset, not a considerable diagonal. Pads work great in the claytor I think for those reasons. In fact, they help spread it out a bit.

[Shug]

Here is how.....
Shug

[geneaut]

My pad experience improved when I made a simple SPE for mine.

[SilvrSurfr]

I never could make a pad work - always shifting around and the condensation was unbearable. Glad I finally got an UQ!

[kattdogg]

Depending on how you sleep uq are great, I'm an ice cold sleeper, so at 30 degrees out with 20 degree uq I have to use hand warmers and a hot water bottle, the only thing I don't like about the uq is that mine is not wide enough, it barley covers my shoulders. If you have a wide set of shoulders make sure you get a wide one